Microsoft Joins Critics of Plan to Shield Data Center Costs from Consumers

A proposal by American Transmission Co. and We Energies to shield Wisconsin energy customers from transmission costs related to Mount Pleasant's data center campus has raised concerns among consumer advocates, including an unlikely ally: Microsoft.

The tech giant disputed the plan, arguing it doesn't go far enough to protect existing customers' electric bills. The proposal would bill Microsoft over $600 million for new power lines and substations serving its Mount Pleasant data center campus.

Microsoft said the plan doesn't adequately address concerns about transmission costs, which are typically passed on to consumers. The company has been a vocal critic of plans that it believes burden existing customers with additional expenses.